• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2008

We evaluated on the calculation accuracy of treatment planning system (TPS) with phantom having convex and concave surface. The TPS is Eclipse (Varian, USA) using both algorithms AAA and PBC for photon dose calculations. PBC algorithms have three corrections of Batho, modified Batho (M-Batho), and equivalent TAR (E-TAR). The field sizes were $10{\times}10\;cm^2$ and $20{\times}20\;cm^2$, and MLC-shaped fields for these fields. We measured doses at three depths 5, 10 and 15cm in phantom of SSD=90cm in the condition of inserted farmer chamber. For given conditions, we have calculated dose with these algorithms and compared them with measured doses. In AAA the calculated doses (dose/MU) were agreed to measured doses within ${\pm}1%$ in flat and convex surface and were under estimated with -1.9% maximum in concave surface. In PBC the calculated doses were over estimated with +1.7% and +4.1% respectively in flat and convex surface and the differences were from -3.1% to +2.1% in concave surface. In comparison of criteria from AAPM and IAEA reports, and statistical analysis for these results, it is found that the AAA's results are in good agreement with measured values and the M-Batho's results are generally good agreed with measured values among PBC algorithms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.5019-5024
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the dosimetric and clinical feasibility of volumetric modulated arc based hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (RapidArc) treatment for large acoustic schwannoma (AS >10cc). Materials and Methods: Ten AS patients were immobilized using BrainLab mask. They were subject to multimodality imaging (magnetic resonance and computed tomography) to contour target and organs at risk (brainstem and cochlea). Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) based stereotactic plans were optimized in Eclipse (V11) treatment planning system (TPS) using progressive resolution optimizer-III and final dose calculations were performed using analytical anisotropic algorithm with 1.5 mm grid resolution. All AS presented in this study were treated with VMAT based HSRT to a total dose of 25Gy in 5 fractions (5fractions/week). VMAT plan contains 2-4 non-coplanar arcs. Treatment planning was performed to achieve at least 99% of PTV volume (D99) receives 100% of prescription dose (25Gy), while dose to OAR's were kept below the tolerance limits. Dose-volume histograms (DVH) were analyzed to assess plan quality. Treatments were delivered using upgraded 6 MV un-flattened photon beam (FFF) from Clinac-iX machine. Extensive pretreatment quality assurance measurements were carried out to report on quality of delivery. Point dosimetry was performed using three different detectors, which includes CC13 ion-chamber, Exradin A14 ion-chamber and Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detector (PSD) which have measuring volume of $0.13cm^3$, $0.009cm^3$ and $0.002cm^3$ respectively. Results: Average PTV volume of AS was 11.3cc (${\pm}4.8$), and located in eloquent areas. VMAT plans provided complete PTV coverage with average conformity index of 1.06 (${\pm}0.05$). OAR's dose were kept below tolerance limit recommend by American Association of Physicist in Medicine task group-101(brainstem $V_{0.5cc}$ < 23Gy, cochlea maximum < 25Gy and Optic pathway <25Gy). PSD resulted in superior dosimetric accuracy compared with other two detectors (p=0.021 for PSD.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2015

For evaluating the treatment planning accurately, the quality assurance for treatment planning is recommended when patients were treated with IMRT which is complex and delicate. To realize this purpose, treatment plan quality assurance software can be used to verify the delivered dose accurately before and after of treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of treatment plan quality assurance software for each IMRT plan according to MLC DLG (dosimetric leaf gap). Novalis Tx with a built-in HD120 MLC was used in this study to acquire the MLC dynalog file be imported in MobiusFx. To establish IMRT plan, Eclipse RTP system was used and target and organ structures (multi-target, mock prostate, mock head/neck, C-shape case) were contoured in I'mRT phantom. To verify the difference of dose distribution according to DLG, MLC dynalog files were imported to MobiusFx software and changed the DLG (0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.3, 1.6 mm) values in MobiusFx. For evaluation dose, dose distribution was evaluated by using 3D gamma index for the gamma criteria 3% and distance to agreement 3 mm, and the point dose was acquired by using the CC13 ionization chamber in isocenter of I'mRT phantom. In the result for point dose, the mock head/neck and multi-target had difference about 4% and 3% in DLG 0.5 and 0.7 mm respectively, and the other DLGs had difference less than 3%. The gamma index passing-rate of mock head/neck were below 81% for PTV and cord, and multi-target were below 30% for center and superior target in DLGs 0.5, 0.7 mm, however, inferior target of multi-target case and parotid of mock head/neck case had 100.0% passing rate in all DLGs. The point dose of mock prostate showed difference below 3.0% in all DLGs, however, the passing rate of PTV were below 95% in 0.5, 0.7 mm DLGs, and the other DLGs were above 98%. The rectum and bladder had 100.0% passing rate in all DLGs. As the difference of point dose in C-shape were 3~9% except for 1.3 mm DLG, the passing rate of PTV in 1.0 1.3 mm were 96.7, 93.0% respectively. However, passing rate of the other DLGs were below 86% and core was 100.0% passing rate in all DLGs. In this study, we verified that the accuracy of treatment planning QA system can be affected by DLG values. For precise quality assurance for treatment technique using the MLC motion like IMRT and VMAT, we should use appropriate DLG value in linear accelerator and RTP system.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2013

Purpose: The accurate movement of gantry rotation, collimator and correct application of dose rate are very important to approach the successful performance of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), because it is tightly interlocked with a complex treatment plan. The interruption and restart of dose delivery, however, are able to occur on treatment by various factors of a treatment machine and treatment plan. If unexpected problems of a treat machine or a patient interrupt the VMAT, the movement of treatment machine for delivering the remaining dose will be restarted at the start point. In this investigation, We would like to know the effect of interruptions and restart regarding dose delivery at VMAT. Materials and Methods: Treatment plans of 10 patients who had been treated at our center were used to measure and compare the dose distribution of each VMAT after converting to a form of digital image and communications in Medicine (DICOM) with treatment planning system (Eclipse V 10.0, Varian, USA). We selected the 6 MV photon energy of Trilogy (Varian, USA) and used OmniPro I'mRT system (V 1.7b, IBA dosimetry, Germany) to analyze the data that were acquired through this measurement with two types of interruptions four times for each case. The door interlock and the beam-off were used to stop and then to restart the dose delivery of VMAT. The gamma index in OmniPro I'mRT system and T-test in Microsoft Excel 2007 were used to evaluate the result of this investigation. Results: The deviations of average gamma index in cases with door interlock, beam-off and without interruption on VMAT are 0.141, 0.128 and 0.1. The standard deviations of acquired gamma values are 0.099, 0.091, 0.071 and The maximum gamma value in each case is 0.413, 0.379, 0.286, respectively. This analysis has a 95-percent confidence level and the P-value of T-test is under 0.05. Gamma pass rate (3%, 3 mm) is acceptable in all of measurements. Conclusion: As a result, We could make sure that the interruption of this investgation are not enough to seriously affect dose delivery of VMAT by analyzing the measured data. But this investigation did not reflect all cases about interruptions and errors regarding the movement of a gantry rotation, collimator and patient So, We should continuously maintain a treatment machine and program to deliver the accurate dose when we perform the VMAT for the many kinds of cancer patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-14
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• 2012

Purpose: Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) provides more accurate dose calculation regarding impact on scatter and tissue inhomogeneity in comparison to Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) algorithm. This study tries to analyze the difference of dose distribution according to PBC algorithm and dose calculation algorithm of AAA on breast cancer tangential plan. Materials and Methods: Computerized medical care plan using Eclipse treatment planning system (version 8.9, VARIAN, USA) has been established for the 10 breast cancer patients using 6 MV energy of Linac (CL-6EX, VARIAN, USA). After treatment plan of Conventional Radiation Therapy plan (Conventional plan) and Field-in-Field Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy plan (FiF plan) using PBC algorithm has been established, MU has been fixed, implemented dose calculation after changing it to AAA, and compared and analyzed treatment plan using Dose Volume Histogram (DVH). Results: Firstly, as a result of evaluating PBC algorithm of Conventional plan and the difference according to AAA, the average difference of CI value on target volume has been highly estimated by 0.295 on PBC algorithm and as a result of evaluating dose of lung, $V_{47Gy}$ and $V_{45Gy}$ has been highly evaluated by 5.83% and 4.04% each, Mean dose, $V_{20Gy}$, $V_{5Gy}$, $V_{3Gy}$ has been highly evaluated 0.6%, 0.29%, 6.35%, 10.23% each on AAA. Secondly, in case of FiF plan, the average difference of CI value on target volume has been highly evaluated on PBC algorithm by 0.165, and dose on ipsilateral lung, $V_{47Gy}$, $V_{45Gy}$, Mean dose has been highly evaluated 6.17%, 3.80%, 0.15% each on PBC algorithm, $V_{20Gy}$, $V_{5Gy}$, $V_{3Gy}$ has been highly evaluated 0.14%, 4.07%, 4.35% each on AAA. Conclusion: When calculating with AAA on breast cancer tangential plan, compared to PBC algorithm, Conformity on target volume of Conventional plan, FiF plan has been less evaluated by 0.295, 0.165 each. For the reason that dose of high dose region of ipsilateral lung has been showed little amount, and dose of low dose region has been showed much amount, features according to dose calculation algorithm need to be considered when we evaluate dose for the lungs.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to measure the skin dose using the glass dosimeter and diode and to compare those measurements to the planned skin dose from the treatment planning system. For the reproducibility of the glass dosimeter (ASAHI TECHNO GLASS CIRPORATION, Japan), the same dose was irradiated to 40 glass dosimeters three times, among which 28 with the reproducibility within 3% were selected for the use of this study. For each of 27 breast cancer patients, the glass dosimeters and diodes were attached to 4 different locations on the skin to measure the dose during treatment. All the patients received one fraction of 180 cGy each. The maximum difference of measurements between the glass dosimeter and diode at the same location was 3.2%. Comparing with the planned skin dose from the treatment planning system (Eclipse v6.5, Varian, USA), the dose measured by the glass dosimeter and the diodeshowed on an average 3.4% and 2.3% difference, respectively. The measured doses were always less than the planned skin dose. This may be due to the specific errors of both detectors. Also, the difference may be caused by the fact that since the skin where the detectors were attached is pretty moveable, it was not fix the detectors on the skin.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.163-171
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• 2020

Purpose: In this study, the accuracies of electron Monte Carlo (eMC) calculation algorithms were evaluated to determine whether electron beams were modeled by optional air profiles (APs) designed for each applicator size. Methods: Electron beams with the energies of 6, 9, 12, and 16 MeV for VitalBeam (Varian Medical System, Palo Alto, CA, USA) and 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV for Clinac iX (Varian Medical System) were used. Optional APs were measured at the source-to-detector distance of 95 cm with jaw openings appropriate for each machine, electron beam energy, and applicator size. The measured optional APs were postprocessed and converted into the w2CAD format. Then, the electron beams were modeled and calculated with and without optional APs. Measured profiles, percentage depth doses, penumbras with respect to each machine, and energy were compared to calculated dose distributions. Results: For VitalBeam, the profile differences between the measurement and calculation were reduced by 0.35%, 0.15%, 0.14%, and 0.38% at 6, 9, 12, and 16 MeV, respectively, when the beams were modeled with APs. For Clinac iX, the differences were decreased by 0.16%, -0.31%, 0.94%, 0.42%, and 0.74%, at 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV, respectively, with the insertion of APs. Of note, no significant improvements in penumbra and percentage depth dose were observed, although the beam models were configured with APs. Conclusions: The accuracy of the eMC calculation can be improved in profiles when electron beams are modeled with optional APs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.473-479
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• 2023

In this study, the dose of photoneutrons generated during radiotherapy of prostate cancer using high energy was measured using a photo-stimulated luminescence dosimeter. In addition, this study was intended to study the probability of side effects occurring in the abdomen. A medical linear accelerator capable of generating 15 MV energy, True Beam STx (Varian Medical Systems, USA) and a radiation treatment planning system (Eclipse, Varian Medical Systems, USA) were used. A human body phantom was installed on the couch of the linear accelerator, and an Albedo Neutron Optical Stimulation Luminescence Neutron Detector (Landauer Inc., IL, USA) was used to measure the photoneutron dose. The photoneutron dose value in the abdomen of VMAT and 3C-CRT was 52.8 mSv, more than twice as high as VMAT compared to 3D-CRT. During radiotherapy of prostate cancer, the probability of causing side effects in the abdomen due to light neutron dose was calculated to be 3.2 per 1,000 for VMAT and 1.4 for 3D-CRT. By studying the abdomen, which has a major side effect that can occur during radiotherapy of prostate cancer, it is expected that it will be used as a meaningful study to study the quality of life and stochastic effect of prostate cancer patients

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2012

Purpose: There was a problem with using MU verification programs for the reasons that there were errors of MU when using MU verification programs based on Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) Algorithm with radiation treatment plans around lung using Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA). On this study, we studied the methods that can verify the calculated treatment plans using AAA. Materials and Methods: Using Eclipse treatment planning system (Version 8.9, Varian, USA), for each 57 fields of 7 cases of Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), we have calculated using PBC and AAA with dose calculation algorithm. By developing MU of established plans, we compared and analyzed with MU of manual calculation programs. We have analyzed relationship between errors and 4 variables such as field size, lung path distance of radiation, Tumor path distance of radiation, effective depth that can affect on errors created from PBC algorithm and AAA using commonly used programs. Results: Errors of PBC algorithm have showned $0.2{\pm}1.0%$ and errors of AAA have showned $3.5{\pm}2.8%$. Moreover, as a result of analyzing 4 variables that can affect on errors, relationship in errors between lung path distance and MU, connection coefficient 0.648 (P=0.000) has been increased and we could calculate MU correction factor that is A.E=L.P 0.00903+0.02048 and as a result of replying for manual calculation program, errors of $3.5{\pm}2.8%$ before the application has been decreased within $0.4{\pm}2.0%$. Conclusion: On this study, we have learned that errors from manual calculation program have been increased as lung path distance of radiation increases and we could verified MU of AAA with a simple method that is called MU correction factor.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.30 no.1_2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2018

Purpose : An aim of this study was to compare the effect of multi leaf collimator(MLC) types for high dimension radiotherapy in treatment sites used clinically. Material and Method : 70 patients with lung cancer, spine cancer, prostate cancer, whole pelvis, head and neck, breast cancer were included in this study. High definition(HD) MLC of TrueBeam STx (Varian Medical system, Palo Alto, CA) and millenium(M) MLC of VitalBeam (Varian Medical system, Palo Alto, CA) were used. Radiotherapy plans were performed for each patient under same treatment goals with Eclipse (Version 13.7, Varian Palo Alto USA, CA). To compare the indicators of the radiotherapy plans, planning target volume(PTV) coverage, conformity index(CI), homogeneity index(HI), and clinical indicators for each treatment sites in normal tissues were evaluated. To evaluate low dose distribution, $V_{30%}$ values were compared according to MLC types. Additionally, length and volume of targets for each treatment sites were investigated. Result : In stereotatictic body radiotherapy(SBRT) plan for lung, the average value of PTV coverage was reduced by 0.52 % with HD MLC. With SBRT plan using HD MLC for spine, the average value of PTV coverage decreased by 0.63 % and maximum dose decreased by 1.13 %. In the test of CI and HI, the values in SBRT plan with HD MLC for spine were 1.144, 1.079 and the values using M MLC were 1.160, 1.092 in SBRT plan for lung, The dose evaluation of critical organ was reduced by 1.48 % in the ipsilateral lung mean dose with HD MLC. In prostate cancer volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) with HD MLC, the mean dose and the $V_{30}$ of bladder and the mean dose and the $V_{25}$ of rectum were reduced by 0.53 %, 1.42 %, 0.97 %, and 0.69 %, respectively (p<0.05). The average value of heart mean dose was reduced by 0.83 % in breast cancer VMAT with M MLC. Other assessment indices for treatment sites showed no significant difference between treatment plans with two types of MLC. Conclusion : Using HD MLC had a positive impact on the PTV coverage and normal tissue sparing in usually short or small targets such as lung and spine SBRT and prostate VMAT. But, there was no significant difference in targets with long and large such as lung, head and neck, and whole pelvis for VMAT.